About This PhD Project

Project Description

Highly motivated candidates are invited to apply for a PhD position in the School of Chemistry, available to commence on 1st October 2018 in the Sutherland research group. The PhD project aims to develop novel fluorescent amino acids with clearly defined properties that can act as imaging probes for molecular and cellular biological applications. In particular, we aim to generate an understanding of how molecular structure affects properties such as quantum yield and emission wavelength. Several classes of novel N-heterocycle-derived amino acids will be prepared from easily accessible enone derivatives using a range of cycloaddition reactions. Lead compounds from each class of amino acid that show sharp fluorescence, high quantum yields and interesting solvatochromatic properties will be further investigated as probes for biological imaging. These will be incorporated into short cell-penetrating peptides (e.g. FluAA-Val-Pro-Thr-Leu-Lys) using solid phase peptide synthesis and incubated with various cell lines. These will be analysed using confocal fluorescent microscopy.

More information on the Sutherland research group can be found at: http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/staff/andrews/

Applicants should hold (or expect to be awarded) a first class or upper-second class Masters degree (MSci, MChem, MSc, MRes) or BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry and have research experience in synthetic organic chemistry.

Applications should be sent to Dr Andrew Sutherland ([email protected]) and include a full CV, with details of all University course grades to date, contact details of at least two academic referees and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the PhD position. Applications will be considered as received.

Funding Notes

Funding is available to cover tuition fees for UK applicants for 3.5 years, as well as paying a stipend at the Research Council rate (EPSRC, estimated £14,764 for session 2018/19). Self-funded students from outwith the EU are encouraged to contact Dr Sutherland directly.